'Close to Home' documentary series receives 2019 Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy

eMediaWorks received a regional Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences - Mid-Atlantic Chapter in the Public Affairs program category for its program "Close to Home: Human Trafficking, The Survivor Story."

Teri Haddad, business development manager, Penn State Lehigh Valley

Credit: Teri Haddad

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“The program tackles the difficult subject of human trafficking serious problem in the Greater Lehigh Valley region," said Teri Haddad, executive producer. “eMediaWorks is honored to receive a regional Emmy for 'Close to Home: Human Trafficking, the Survivor Story.' Our goal was to enlighten the community and to give an active voice to recovering survivors.”   

Haddad is also the business development manager at Penn State Lehigh Valley

The 2019 Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy Award was presented to Haddad, Matthew Lewis, producer/editor, Laura Bennett, associate producer, Lisa Robinson, editor, Steve Whitcombe, lead videographer, Steve Kauffman, aerial videographer, and Stefan Fulton, production assistant. The programs can be viewed at eMediaWorks website.

Produced by eMediaWorks with support from Lehigh Valley Health Network and WLVT PBS39, "Close To Home: Human Trafficking" tackles the subject of human trafficking. 

“Most people think that sex trafficking is something that happens in big cities or foreign countries. This documentary brings to light the fact that this horrifying crime happens right here in the Lehigh Valley. I hope the stories of the women featured in the film raise awareness and inspire our community to act against this atrocity,” Bennett said.

"Close to Home: An original five-part series on health and wellness issues facing the greater Lehigh Valley" explores themes of journey, fear, faith, hope and help. The series has tackled street medicine (2018 Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy winner), cancer survivorship, depression, and "changed by war PTSD in Vietnam veterans." The series is sponsored by Lehigh Valley Health Network, Air Products and Capital Blue Cross.

This is the fifth program nominated in the five-part series.

“Our hope is that the Close to Home series brings heightened awareness to issues in our community and encourages people to take positive action and I am honored to be able to tell the stories," Haddad said.